Brendan buoyed by Ings-Sturridge combination
Brendan Rodgers noted encouraging signs of a 'really good combination' between Danny Ings and Daniel Sturridge as the pair helped Liverpool return to winning form at the weekend.
The strike duo were in tandem for the visit of Aston Villa in the Barclays Premier League and the Reds duly scored three goals in a game for the first time since February.
Sturridge grabbed two of them, crashing home a sublime volley in front of the Kop before slotting in what proved to be the decider to mark only his second game of the season in style.
Though Ings could not follow up his strikes in the previous two matches with another, the summer signing offered another performance brimming with energy and endeavour.
“I thought the combination was very good,” the manager said at a press conference on Wednesday. “In particular, those two up front were a real threat.
“We obviously scored three goals but maybe could have had a few more. Danny Ings has been outstanding, he gives us great intensity and pressure in the game but he’s also got quality.
“I’ve always felt, and one of the reasons we brought him here, that 25 yards out from goal he looks like he can score. Because he can manipulate the ball himself and shoot, or you saw some of his touches to play Daniel in.
“Daniel has shown and proven the qualities he has. If we can keep him fit – he still has a way to go but is working towards a great level of fitness – then there’s a really good combination there.”
Rodgers was speaking at his pre-match briefing from Melwood ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash with Swiss side FC Sion at Anfield.
The Northern Irishman confirmed Sturridge will not feature in the Group B tie as his return to full fitness continues to be carefully managed and planned.
“I think for every individual player, you look to do that,” the boss said. “You have got to assess and analyse where they are at physically.
“Daniel has worked very, very hard and has come back ahead of schedule. We’ve got to make sure we don’t break him at this stage.
“You saw in the game at the weekend, he is still building his way towards fitness, but what he gives us is that real quality in the final third of the field.
“He won’t be involved in the game, which will keep him fresh and working towards his fitness for the weekend.”
While Liverpool were beginning their Europa League campaign with a 1-1 draw in Bordeaux, Sion took an early lead in the section by beating Rubin Kazan at home.
Rodgers expects the visitors to attempt to hurt the Reds on the break at Anfield and acknowledged that his side will therefore have to convert the chances they create.
He said: “It’s a game where we’re going to have to be patient. They play a counter-attack game.
“They’ll be disappointed with the result at the weekend, losing to the team at the bottom of the league. But they had a good result in their game against Rubin Kazan, so that will give them confidence.
“Their style is very much counter-attack – very quickly they get bodies behind the ball, sit deep and then look to break with pace. We’ll have to work the ball, create our openings and look to take the opportunities that come.”